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Aviation History
1959
1959 - 2104.PDF
4 September 1959 SK-N1 Hovercraft Sounders-Roe P.S31 Mk 2 The Hovercraft, depicted above, has created tremendous interest in recent weeks—interest that prom- ises to be further heightened by its appearance in the S.B.A.C. Display and by an important special feature to appear in the forthcoming issue of this journal (September 11) Scottish Aviation Twin HMW CC.1Powerplant Two Alvis Leonidu 514/0 Span 7«t&nUngch 45ft 3in Crocs weight 14,000 Ib Cruifing spcwl 126 m.p.h. SAUNDERS-ROE LTD. Osborne, East Comes, Isle of Wight. Telephone: Comes 2211 P.S 31 Having progressed in six months from drawing board to first flight, the P.531, poweredby a Blackburn Turmo free-turbine of 425 sJi.p. has been in development for a year and a small batch is being supplied to the Fleet Air Arm for evaluation. Now the true Mk 2 production versionpowered by a Blackburn A.129 970 si.p. free-turbine (derated to 650 s.h.p.) has made its first flight, and the second Mk 2 with a similarly derated de Havilland Gnome H.1000 is almostcomplete. Take-off power will thus be maintained to considerable altitudes and temperatures. Gross weight has risen to 5,000 lb, with an equipped weight of 2^00 lb, and fuel tankage isincreased to 160 gal. The new P.531 has a re-engineered transmission, new rotor blades (by Hordern-Richmond), a modified tail boom, fin and fixed tailplane and a skid landing gear. It isintended that the P.531 shall have full all-weather and navigation capability. SR-NI Hovercraft Saunders-Roe, under contract to the National Research DevelopmentCorporation, have built and tested an air-curtain vehicle based on investigations begun in 1956 by Mr. C. S. Cockerell. Weighing some 7,500 lb and powered by a single 515 h.p. Alvis Leonides,the present SR-Nl Hovercraft supports itself about a foot above ground or water by means of a curtain of air blown slightly inwards from annular slots around the periphery of the undersideof the vehicle. Further air jets are provided for control and stability. The Hovercraft crossed the Channel on July 25 and is now being fitted with a propulsion engine. Studies are in hand for a40-ton passenger version. Skeeter Now in service with the British Army and the army and navy of Western Germany,the side-by-side dual control Skeeter is powered by a de Havilland Gipsy Major 215 h.p. engine to which water/methanol injection or a detachable turbo-supercharger may be applied. SCOTTISH AVIATION LTD. Presturick Airport, Ayrshire. Telephone: Prestmick 79888 Pioneer In service with the R.A.F. for front-line tactical Army support, the Pioneer (Alvis Leonides) has proved most successful for light trooping, freighting and liaison out of short, rough forward strips. A revised version for the Army, powered by the long-stroke Leonides, is known as the Pegasus. The Pioneer has also rendered notable service in civil applications. Twin Pioneer Series 3 The latest development of the Twin Pioneer is the Series 3, powered by two Alvis Leonides 531/8 piston engines developing 640 h.p. each, compared with 550 h.p. of the previous series. In service with the R.A.F. as the CC.1, and with a dozen commercial operators all over the world, the Twin Pioneer is a 16-passenger STOL transport capable of carrying, in its Series 3 form, a payload of 3,000 lb, over a still-air range of nearly 700 miles, out of unprepared strips 500 yd in length. At its maximum weight of 14,600 1b, the Twin Pioneer 3 requires a ground run to unstick (still air, sea level) of only 140 yd, and a landing run of little more than 200 yd. In its military role the Twin Pioneer's work is typified by this extract from Flight two weeks ago (August 21, p. 34): — "A new Twin Pioneer squadron. No. 21, has been formed at R.A.F. Benson and is going out to East Africanext month to work with Army units of the Strategic Reserve in the light transport support rdle. This means primarily the movement of troops and their subsequent support, either by landings or air-drops (in the caseof supplies; though the Twin Pioneer is also cleared for pa ^a troop operations). Another duty is casualty evacuation. Reconnaissance and bombing could also be carried out if required." In its civilian role, the Twin Pioneer is used in undeveloped areas for scheduled passenger and cargo work, air survey, ambulance, and general liaison and freighting. A special kit permits quick conversion to executive (6-8 seats) use. Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer CC.1
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